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Getting Started with Google Analytics – Step One

Posted by Greg

Google Analytics can be very daunting for the first-time user.

Scratch that. I’ve been using Google Analytics for years and even I find all the data available to be a bit overwhelming – especially if you don’t know what you are looking for.

But before you can start reading the data and statistics streaming in from your website, it need to be connected correctly to the Google Analytics system.

This blog will look at Step One – how to get Google Analytics set up and collecting that data. This part is all about creating your GA4 property (the code that links the site to Google), installing the tag on your site, and confirming that data is flowing. Do this once, do it properly, and everything else you report on later – traffic, conversions, campaigns – will be accurate.

Here we go – Step by Step

1) Create your Google Analytics account

2) Create a GA4 property

3) Add a Web Data Stream

4) Grab your Measurement ID

5) Install the GA4 tag on your website
Pick one method and stick with it:

6) Verify data is coming in

7) Do three quick hygiene checks

8) Share access properly

That is Step One done – you have a GA4 property, the tag installed, and verified data in Realtime. From here, everything else becomes easier: you can see which channels bring visitors, which pages perform best, and which actions count as conversions. Next Step, we will move on to defining your key conversions and building a simple weekly dashboard. But none of that matters without a clean setup – and you’ve just nailed it.

“Bricks to Clicks”: How Traditional Shops Can Sell Online

Posted by Greg

Spend five minutes chatting with any small business owner in a regional town and you’ll hear the same line: “Why would I bother selling online? I’ve already got loyal customers.”

It’s a fair question. But here’s the reality – that loyal base won’t stay the same forever. More and more people are switching to online shopping, and while your shopfront might feel steady today, the ground is shifting under your feet.

The choice isn’t about abandoning your shop; it’s about keeping pace with where your customers are heading and making sure they can still buy from you when they decide to shop online.

Your Customers Are Already Online

Here’s the harsh reality – your customers, even the loyal ones, are already scrolling through online shops at night while sitting in front of Netflix. They may love you, but if they see the same product online for the same price with free shipping, well… loyalty only goes so far.

An online store doesn’t replace your shop – it extends it. Think of it as leaving your doors open 24/7 without having to stand behind the counter all night. You’re giving people a way to buy from you when you’re closed, when it’s raining, or when they’ve just realised at 11pm that they’ve run out of printer ink.

Competing Against the City Giants

“Yeah but, mate, I can’t compete with big city prices.” True. But here’s something the big end of town doesn’t have – you. Your local knowledge, your customer service, your ability to say, “Hey, Dave, that thing you’re buying? It’s not the right one for your mower. Let me sort you out.” That personal touch translates beautifully online.

Write product descriptions that sound like you, not like a robot. Add a personal note in your parcels. Offer click-and-collect for locals. Suddenly, you’re not competing on price – you’re competing on experience. And you’ll win that race every day of the week.

The “Can’t Be Bothered” Excuse

Look, setting up online does take effort. But so did opening your shop in the first place. Did you throw your hands up and say “nah, can’t be bothered” when the doors, shelving, stock, and EFTPOS needed sorting? No. You rolled up your sleeves and got on with it.

Getting online is the same. Yes, there are a few moving parts – website, payment, shipping – but once it’s set up, it ticks over like the beer fridge at a backyard BBQ. And here’s the real kicker: every week you wait, another local customer finds someone else online and gives them the sale instead of you.

Bricks + Clicks = Future

The future isn’t either/or – it’s both. Keep your bricks. They’re brilliant for locals, walk-ins, and the community feel. But add clicks. That’s how you keep the sales rolling in when people are shopping at odd hours, or when they’d rather not make the drive into town.

In short: you don’t have to become Amazon. But if you don’t get online at all, you risk becoming Blockbuster Video – remembered fondly, but gone.

So, from bricks to clicks, the message is simple: give your customers the choice to shop the way they want, and you’ll keep them coming back – whether it’s down the street or through their screen.

Why Your Club Website Deserves Better Than a Dusty Noticeboard

Posted by Greg

Let’s be honest: too many club websites look like they were last updated when dial-up was still a thing.

A couple of dates, a phone number, maybe a pixelated flyer – job done. But here’s the truth: a website can be so much more than that. Used properly, it can become the engine that keeps your club running smoothly, keeps members happy, and even saves the committee from tearing its collective hair out.

A Single Source of Truth

Instead of firing off 17 group emails, three text messages, and a desperate post on Facebook (that half the members will never see), your website can be the one place everyone goes for answers. Meeting minutes, policies, forms – all in one neat spot. It’s calmer, more reliable, and you don’t have to rely on Barry remembering which WhatsApp group you posted the details in last week.

Events Without the Chaos

Posting an event date is easy. But why stop there? Add RSVP forms, online ticketing, or even a sign-up sheet for volunteers, and suddenly your life is a lot easier. Better still, sync the event calendar to members’ phones. That way, instead of “Oh, I forgot,” you get “Oh, right, it’s tonight!” – which is as close to magic as it gets for some people.

Celebrate the People

Every club is full of characters who deserve recognition: the raffle-ticket seller who never misses a night, the junior who’s learning the ropes, or the old hand who keeps the lights on. A website can shine a spotlight on them with a simple “member of the month” feature, a gallery, or even a digital honour board. It makes people feel valued, and it builds a sense of pride and belonging that keeps them coming back.

Train Once, Teach Forever

This is where the website quietly becomes a secret weapon. Instead of re-explaining how to fill out forms, run the bar, or lock up the hall, you put up a guide or a short video. Do it once, and it’s there forever. New members can get up to speed without hassling the same poor soul every time.

Listen Without the Awkwardness

Committees aren’t mind readers – though some like to think they are. A quick online survey or anonymous suggestion form lets members give feedback without the drama of an AGM floor debate. You’ll get more honesty, more ideas, and fewer blank stares.

Save the Committee’s Sanity

Membership renewals, forms, payments – all those tedious jobs can be handled online. That means less paperwork, fewer awkward “you still owe your fees” conversations, and less clutter on the secretary’s kitchen table.

Professional Face to the World

Finally, a sharp-looking website helps your club stand tall in the community. A dedicated section for sponsors, with logos and links, gives real value to your supporters and makes future sponsorship conversations a lot easier. Plus, it tells the outside world that your club is organised, modern, and worth joining.

A website shouldn’t be an afterthought or a dusty noticeboard. Done properly, it becomes the hub of your club- saving the committee time, giving members more value, and making everyone look good in the process. In short: it’s the tool that turns chaos into order. And frankly, who doesn’t want that?

Is Your Website Secure?

Posted by Greg

Your website is a lot like your shopfront.

It never sleeps – it’s working for your business 24/7, welcoming customers, showing off your products or services, and building trust in your brand.

But just like your shop, it needs locks, lights, and the occasional once-over to make sure nothing dodgy is going on. Leaving a website unchecked is a bit like leaving the front door wide open after closing time – you might get lucky, but it’s a risk you don’t want to take.

The good news is you don’t need to be a tech whiz to keep an eye on things. With a few simple checks that anyone can do, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your online presence is safe, secure, and ready for business.

1. Look for the padlock

Pop your website address into your browser and glance up at the top. Do you see a little padlock next to your domain name? That padlock is your SSL certificate – it keeps the information between your site and your visitors private. No padlock, or worse, a warning sign? That’s like leaving the front door wide open. If you spot that, get in touch with me or your hosting company to sort it out.

2. Test your password

Now, log in to your website’s admin area. Be honest: is your password something short or predictable, like “Business123”? If so, change it now. A strong password is long, hard to guess, and mixes up letters, numbers, and symbols. It should make sense to you and no one else. Think of it as swapping a flimsy lock for a deadbolt.

3. Keep your site updated

If your site runs on WordPress, you’ll see those little “update available” messages in your dashboard. Don’t ignore them. Updates don’t just add new features – they close holes that hackers look for. Logging in once a week and hitting update takes less time than making a coffee, and it’s one of the best ways to protect your site.

4. Google your own site

Here’s a sneaky trick. Go to Google and type: site:yourdomain.com This shows all the pages Google knows about on your site. If you see weird pages or dodgy links you didn’t create, it could mean someone’s hacked in. Don’t panic – just get help quickly so it doesn’t get worse.

Keeping your website secure doesn’t need to be complicated. A quick glance for the padlock, a stronger password, a couple of updates, and a Google search now and then will give you peace of mind. If anything looks odd, that’s when you call me. I’ll take care of the tricky stuff so you can get back to running your business.

Spotting Scam Emails with ChatGPT

Posted by Greg

We’ve all had that moment: an email arrives in our inbox that looks a little… off.

Maybe the sender’s address doesn’t look quite right. Maybe the wording feels clumsy. Or maybe it includes an urgent warning that something terrible will happen if you don’t click a link immediately. These are all classic signs of scam, spam, or malware-laden emails—and falling for them can be costly.

This is where ChatGPT can be a surprisingly useful ally. By pasting the suspicious text of an email into ChatGPT, you can get a second opinion on whether it raises red flags. ChatGPT can help you break down the email’s language, tone, and structure, pointing out potential tricks scammers use, such as urgency, threats, fake authority, or too-good-to-be-true offers.

How ChatGPT Helps

ChatGPT isn’t a replacement for professional cybersecurity tools, but it can complement your existing vigilance. For example, if an email claims to be from your bank but is riddled with spelling mistakes, ChatGPT will highlight that this is unusual for official correspondence. If an email is pushing you to click a link or download an attachment urgently, ChatGPT can explain why that’s a common scam tactic.

By analyzing the text, ChatGPT can flag inconsistencies or manipulative language you might miss when quickly scanning an inbox. It’s like having a cyber-savvy friend on call to give you a calm, reasoned breakdown before you act.

Step-by-Step: Safely Checking a Suspect Email with ChatGPT

If you want to use ChatGPT to help analyze an email, here’s the safest way to do it:

  1. Open the email without clicking anything inside it.
    • Do not click links, download attachments, or press any buttons in the email.
    • You’re only going to look at the text.
  2. Highlight the text of the email.
    • With your mouse, click and drag to select the words of the email body.
    • You can usually skip the header details (like subject, date, etc.) unless they look suspicious too.
  3. Copy the text.
    • Right-click and select Copy, or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + C on Windows, Command + C on Mac).
  4. Open ChatGPT.
    • Go to the ChatGPT app or website where you normally use it.
  5. Paste the text into the chat.
    • Right-click and choose Paste, or use Ctrl + V (Windows) / Command + V (Mac).
  6. Ask ChatGPT to analyze it.
    • A simple prompt works best, such as: “Can you check this email text and tell me if it looks like spam, a scam, or phishing?”
  7. Read the analysis carefully.
    • ChatGPT can point out suspicious language, tricks scammers use, or other warning signs.
    • Use this alongside your own judgment – if you’re in doubt, delete the email.

⚠️ Important Reminder: Never copy or upload attachments, images, or files from a suspicious email. Only copy the plain text.

Additional Safety Tips

While ChatGPT can help you spot scams, it works best when paired with common-sense safety practices:

Final Thoughts

Email scams are becoming more sophisticated, and staying safe requires a mix of technology and awareness. ChatGPT is a handy tool to help you analyze the language of questionable emails and give you more confidence in deciding whether to delete or report them.

But remember: your strongest defense is caution. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts. And above all, never click attachments or links in a suspicious email.

How to Keep Traffic Flowing Into Your Small Business Website

Posted by Greg

Now, you’ve built a website for your small business. Awesome.

It’s sitting there, looking rather lovely, and you’ve told your friends, your mum, and perhaps even the chap down at the bowls club about it. But here’s the snag: having a website is a bit like having a perfectly good kettle in the cupboard. Unless you actually plug it in and add water, it’s not going to make any tea.

What I mean, in less domestic terms, is that your website needs people visiting it, poking around, and perhaps—if all goes to plan—buying something or booking your service. The flow of visitors is called “traffic,” and much like real traffic, it needs a bit of management if it’s not going to grind to a halt. So, let’s go through a few straightforward ways to keep that digital road to your business nice and busy.

Keep the Road Signs Clear (Search Engines)

The first thing you need is decent signposting. On the motorway, you’ve got big green signs telling you where to turn off for Ayr or Ingham. On the internet, you’ve got Google. If Google can’t figure out what your site is about, it’s not going to send anyone your way.

So, make sure your site says what you do, in plain language. If you’re a plumber, don’t waffle on about “fluid dynamics solutions.” Just say “plumbing repairs and installations.” Add in your location too, because people are far more likely to type “plumber in Bowen” than “fluid dynamics consultant.”

Give People a Reason to Visit Again (Content)

Once someone has visited your site, you want them to come back. The trick here is content. That could be a blog, a set of how-to guides, or even a news section where you post updates about your business. Imagine your website as a shopfront: if the window display hasn’t changed in six months, passers-by will stop looking.

The content doesn’t need to be complicated. A short post once a month about something useful in your industry is more than enough. People will find it helpful, Google will like it, and your site won’t gather dust.

Keep the Conversation Going (Social Media)

Next up, tell people about your website. This is where social media comes in handy. A Facebook post or an Instagram story linking back to your website is the digital equivalent of standing outside your shop and waving people in. It doesn’t need to be flashy, but it does need to be regular.

Think of it as a polite nudge. “Hello, we’ve just posted something new on our website, do pop in and have a look.”

Don’t Forget the Repeat Customers (Email)

Finally, let’s not overlook the humble email. If someone’s given you their address, don’t abuse it with endless shouting about sales, but do use it to remind them you exist. A monthly email with a tip, an update, or a little offer is often all it takes.

Keeping traffic flowing to your website isn’t about clever tricks or expensive gadgets. It’s about being clear, being consistent, and gently reminding people that you’re there. Do that, and your website won’t be a dusty old kettle—it’ll be a well-used, well-loved tool that keeps business ticking over.

Microsoft Copilot – Great Tool, Shame About the Delivery

Posted by Greg

I’ve got nothing against Copilot.

CoPilot

It’s a clever little digital helper that can write emails, tidy up spreadsheets, summarise meetings, and probably do your tax return while you’re down at the pub. It’s the sort of thing we’ve all secretly wanted: an assistant that doesn’t complain about working late or “forget” to send the file. Lovely.

But here’s the problem. Microsoft hasn’t offered us Copilot. They’ve rammed it into our computers like a bad song on repeat. You wake up one morning, open Word to bash out a simple letter, and suddenly Copilot is hovering in the corner like an over-enthusiastic intern. “Would you like me to help with that?” No, I’d like you to go away while I type two paragraphs without interference, thank you very much.

It’s like being sold a car with “optional” heated seats, only to find they’ve welded the switch permanently to the dashboard, turned it on, and you can’t shut it off without voiding the warranty. Nice feature, but why does it have to be strapped to me at all times?

Now, don’t get me wrong – I’d love to give Copilot a proper go. I want to sit down, test it out, and see if it can actually improve my day or if it just generates the digital equivalent of a student essay written at 2am. But instead of giving me the chance to explore it on my own terms, Microsoft have gone for the “shock and awe” approach. Slam it into Office, Windows, Teams, Outlook – probably even Minesweeper by Christmas.

The result? It doesn’t feel like innovation. It feels like advertising. You’re not being invited to try a powerful tool; you’re being told you must. And nothing kills curiosity faster than being force-fed.

What Microsoft seem to forget is that technology is at its best when it feels like a discovery – when you find a new feature and think, ah, that’s useful. It’s why people loved the early iPhone. Hidden gems, clever touches, stuff that made you grin. With Copilot, it’s the opposite. You can’t stumble across it, because it’s already in your face before you’ve even logged in.

Imagine if you bought a new car where every time you opened the door, a salesman jumped out of the glovebox shouting about the new cupholder. You’d drive it off a cliff just to shut them up. That’s the Copilot experience right now.

So here’s my verdict: Copilot is not the villain. Just like ChatGPT – the concept is clever, the potential enormous. But Microsoft’s method of delivery is like being force-fed cold porridge while someone insists it’s the best breakfast you’ll ever have. Let us breathe. Let us explore. Stop shoving and start showing.

Because if they don’t, people won’t remember Copilot as the groundbreaking digital assistant it could be. They’ll remember it as that annoying thing that kept popping up when all you wanted to do was write a shopping list in Word.

Scams Are Getting Smarter: Watch Out for AI and Deepfakes

Posted by Greg

Remember the old scam emails?

The ones with bad spelling, weird phrases, and promises from a “Nigerian prince”? They were about as convincing as someone trying to sell you gold bars out of the boot of their car. Easy to laugh at, easy to spot.

Those days are over. Thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), scammers have just upgraded from cheap Halloween costumes to full-blown Hollywood special effects. And that means the rest of us have to be a bit sharper.

What’s Changed?

Scammers are no longer writing dodgy emails by hand. They’ve got AI doing the hard work. Imagine giving a scammer a magic typewriter that can copy anyone’s handwriting perfectly. That’s what they’ve got now.

Here’s what that means for small businesses:

How the Scams Work

So, when “your accountant” calls and says, “Pay this invoice right now,” it might not be them — it might be someone in a digital disguise.

What You Can Do

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a tech wizard. Think of it like running your shop — a few sensible habits keep out most trouble.

  1. Train your team – Teach them the same way you’d teach staff to spot fake $50 notes. Once they know what to look for, they’ll catch the dodgy stuff quicker.
  2. Double-check strange requests – If a customer gave you a cheque that looked a bit funny, you’d call the bank before accepting it, right? Do the same with emails or calls that ask for money or private info.
  3. Use two-step logins – It’s like putting two locks on your front door. Even if someone steals the first key (your password), they still can’t get in without the second.
  4. Limit access – Only give the keys to the safe (financial access, admin rights) to people who actually need them.
  5. Use security tools – Think of these as security cameras for your inbox. They can flag emails or messages that don’t quite smell right.

Scammers have moved from clumsy con artists to slick stage magicians. They can make you see and hear things that aren’t real.

But like any good magic trick, once you know what’s going on, it loses its power. Slow down, double-check, and don’t be afraid to say, “Hang on, I’ll call you back to confirm.”

A little caution now could save your business from falling for a very expensive illusion.

5 Things Every Small Business Website Owner Should Know

Posted by Greg

Owning a business website is a bit like owning a car.

Leave it alone long enough and something will inevitably break, rattle, or burst into flames at the exact moment you need it most. The trouble is, while you can usually hear your car when it starts coughing and spluttering, websites tend to just… die silently while your customers quietly sneak off to your competitor.

So, if you want your site to actually work for you instead of sitting online like a badly painted shop sign from 1973, here are five things you need to know.

Lock the Doors (a.k.a. Security & Backups)

Imagine leaving your shop open overnight with a sign saying Cash in the till, help yourself. That’s what skipping website security is like. At the very least, get an SSL certificate (the little padlock that says I’m not dodgy), use proper passwords – not Password123 – and update your software before the hackers do it for you.

And for heavens sake, back up your site. Otherwise, when it crashes, youll be on the phone screaming, But all my stuff was on there! and nobody will care.

SEO: Its Not Black Magic

SEO – sounds like something whispered about in dark corners by men with pointy hats. In reality, its just making sure Google knows you exist. That means using words people actually type in (coffee beans Townsville), writing proper titles, and making sure your site doesn’t take longer to load than dial-up internet in 1995.

Get this right, and customers will find you. Get it wrong, and you’ll be buried on page five of Google next to Bigfoot sightings and UFO forums.

Don’t Make It Annoying (User Experience)

If your website is confusing, slow, or looks like it was designed on Windows 98, people wont hang around. Theyll just leave. Instantly.

A good site is simple: buttons that say Buy Now or Call Us, menus that dont require a treasure map, and a layout that works on phones. Remember, most people are browsing while holding a sandwich in one hand and their phone in the other. If they have to zoom, swipe, or guess where your contact details are – youve lost them.

Content: Stop Sounding Like a Robot

Nobody wants to read a website that sounds like it was written by a bored accountant. Your content should sound like you. Tell your story, show your personality, and, for crying out loud, avoid jargon like solutions or leveraging synergies. Customers want to know who you are, not sit through a corporate PowerPoint.

And yes, blogs help too. Write tips, share stories, answer questions. It keeps people interested and keeps Google happy.

Check the Dashboard (Analytics)

Running a website without analytics is like driving a car without a speedometer. You might think youre doing 100 km/h, but in reality, youre crawling along while everyone else overtakes you.

Use tools like Google Analytics to see whos visiting, what theyre looking at, and whether theyre actually buying or just window-shopping. Data doesnt lie. If nobodys clicking Contact Us, maybe its because your form is hidden under six dropdown menus and a slideshow of stock photos.

A small business website is supposed to make life easier. But if you ignore security, skip SEO, design it like a labyrinth, fill it with corporate gobbledygook, and never measure a thing – you may as well print your web address on the back of a beer coaster and hope for the best.

Hyper-Personalizing Your Website: Simple Tweaks to Boost Engagement

Posted by Greg

Let’s get one thing straight – your website is not a fridge.

People don’t just open it, stare blankly, and hope inspiration strikes. Well… actually, some do. But unlike a fridge, if your site serves up the exact same bland content to everyone, they’ll close it faster than you can say “lukewarm leftovers.”

That’s where hyper-personalisation comes in. It’s the online equivalent of a barista remembering your name, your order, and the fact that you like your latte hot enough to cauterise a wound. Done right, it makes visitors think, “Ah, this place gets me.” Done wrong, and you’ll look like that over-friendly shop assistant who asks about your weekend when you just want to buy socks.

1. Location, Location, Location

No, you don’t need to stalk your visitors like MI6. But if someone from Cairns lands on your site in January, don’t show them a banner for your winter woollies sale. They’re busy trying not to melt.

How to do it:

2. Time of Day Tweaks

If someone visits at 8am, they’re in a very different mood than if they arrive at 11pm. Mornings are for coffee, productivity, and pretending to read emails. Nights are for winding down, impulse shopping, and googling “how to build a pizza oven.”

How to do it:

3. Call Them By Name (Without Being Creepy)

If someone has signed up or logged in, you know their name. Use it. “Welcome back, Dave” sounds friendlier than “Hello, random internet human.”

How to do it:

4. Tailored Recommendations

Netflix does it. Amazon does it. Even that suspicious ad that knows you were thinking about buying a kayak does it. You can too.

How to do it:

5. Test, Measure, Repeat

Personalisation isn’t a “set and forget” trick. It’s more like tuning a race car – a little tweak here, a little adjustment there, until it runs beautifully.

How to do it:

Hyper-personalising your site isn’t about making it a creepy psychic. It’s about giving people the right thing at the right time. Nail that, and they’ll stick around, click more, and probably spend more. Or, to put it in Clarkson-speak: stop serving everyone the same lukewarm beans – give them exactly what they want, piping hot, with a side of “blimey, they really get me.”

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